The next can will be for the hurricane victims in PINAR DEL RIO Province, which suffered the double barrel effects of Gustaf as a category 5 hurricane, and then were buffeted and practically drowned by hurricane Ike.

The situation in that province is very grave, with whole villages almost completely destroyed, and the area's hospital seriously damaged.

The situation on the ground in Cuba is so critical that we are considering loading another container next weekend, if we can get the needed support from our wonderful and generous volunteers, as well as me being able to logistically organize the necessary bits and pieces required to make it happen.

Marion and i were greatly inspired by the marvellous show of support and hard work at the container loading yesterday. 39 persons participated in this task, and everyone that had commited to attend, (and more), showed up, from near and far, (in spite of the most recent price of gasoline).

Incredible commitment!. From that Oshawa man who could barely get around, but brought a full cube van and his wonderful family, the couple from Perth who rented a van to bring their great donations, the folks from Cobourg who had to get up earlier than i go to bed , in order to pick up donations from someone who had made her apartment available as a collection center, and still get here in good time. To June who fed all of us,after the packing, to the lady from Newmarket who worked incessantly to get us all those sheets and towels, to all the others who so unselfisfly gave up their Saturday to help make a difference in some people's lives; people that they have never met and likely never will.

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!J-L D

We expect to be able to make a decision on next week end's endeavour as early as monday night. We would appreciate feed back from those that might or might not be available next saturday or Sunday, as soon as possible. Joe please post on website, Rumrunner post as you see fit

People have asked how the relief is going - these were items from Container #50 ......

"We had requested that some of the goods on the container we did Aug 16 be redirected to Hurricane Relief...we heard today that that did occure
"Here is the note From John....
Hi all;
"Happy to report that, i just received an email from our contact at the Ministry of Public Health in Havana Cuba, this morning, advising us that the first instalment of our hurricane relief materials sent (120 boxes of clothing, shoes, hygiene, and personal care products, actually rerouted from a container in transit) to the townspeople of "los Palacios" in Pinar del Rio province, arrived there yesterday. This town was one of two that had been almost totally destroyed by hurricane Gustaf 2 and 1/2 weeks ago."